How to Go Green: Like Celebrities

Celebrities, and their various efforts to go green, can be a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it's great that high-profile, highly-visible folks are affecting positive change by both reducing their impact on the planet, but inspiring others to do the same. They have the resources and connections to start progressive, world-changing organizations to bring publicity to causes that might otherwise go unnoticed, and a permanent soapbox to make sure that millions of people know about them. We love to pay attention to them, as a culture, and, in the best cases, they can use that power for good.

Go Green Like Celebs

While it can be easy to cast the first stone, there is no denying the tremendous reach and potential to affect positive change among the A-listers, rock stars, and other celebrities who are doing more than their part to help our planet be a better place. As long as there are movies, there will be stars and starlets; as long as there is music, there will be rock stars and groupies. Celebrities aren't going anywhere, and, let's face it, we don't want them to. And there's some good news: There's a lot we can learn from them.

In this guide, we'll take a peek at some of the good green efforts put forth by a handful of the planet's most committed celebrities. Learn about Leonardo DiCaprio's passionate activism, Brad Pitt's efforts to rebuild a city, how Ed Norton helped start a revolution, and how you can do some of the same things in your life, starting today. Read on to get started being more like your favorite green celeb.

George ClooneyFeatured with (buddy Brad Pitt on an episode of Planet Green's "Hollywood Green", George Clooney has earned a prominent place among his fellow eco-celebs for his support of more sustainable transport. Clooney has been an electric car fan ever since he laid eyes on the Tango, a svelte electric two-seater with killer acceleration and super-easy parallel parking (it's only as wide as a motorcycle!). One of the first to place an order (hey, it takes two...), Clooney's Tango got the paparazzi's attention at a film set in 2005. Since then, he's added another sexy electric ride -- the Tesla Roadster to his stable, and continues to plug battery-powered transport when given the chance.

Ben Harper and Jack Johnson:Though both worthy of their own section, these guitar-playing pals have both put their individual and collective voice behind something they're both very passionate about: clean oceans. Both surfers, they've seen firsthand the damage and pollution clogging our oceans, and have supported organizations like the Surfrider Foundation and their efforts to clean up the best surfing spots (and the rest that have been polluted) around the planet. And neither stop there; both musicians have actively worked to go green on tour, including biodiesel buses, recycling programs, and, in Johnson's case, a new program called All At Once to bring green non-profits to his shows to spread the good word.

Cameron DiazKnown by some as "Professor Diaz" for her guest-lecture for William McDonough at Stanford University, Cameron has been one of the more vocal, visible proponents for Momma Earth over the past few years. From her own reality show on MTV to her work with sustainable designers like McDonough and Cameron Sinclair to her support of a green video club, Diaz does it all without fanfare (but with lots of style) and showcases how going green can be fun and educational.

To follow Cameron's lead:Help her make Earth Day every day by supporting green films that support our common humanity and continuing a global dialogue about a better world and a greener way to do everything.

Matt DamonLike many of his celebrity brethren, Matt Damon got started down a greener path by buying a hybrid car a few years back, but he certainly didn't stop there. Damon co-founded the H20 Africa Project to raise money and shine a spotlight on the need for clean drinking water in the poorest regions in Africa. He's putting his big name to good use; 80 percent of all illness, disease and premature death in developing countries is the result of poor or lack of drinking water.

Ed NortonThis leading man has been leading the way for green celebs since 2003, when he helped create the BP Solar Neighbors Program. Here's how it works: Each time a celeb has a solar electricity system installed on their house, BP donates a system to low-income family. Norton was the first to do it -- he thought it up when having solar installed on his home -- and has convinced other big names like Will Ferrell, Robin Williams, and Tom Hanks to do it; fellow list-mates Brad Pitt, Ed Begley Jr., Jack Johnson, and Daryl Hannah are also proudly on the list. A great example of how celebs doing good helps everybody win.

To power up like Ed:Adding solar panels to your home would be a great first step, but, since it's often cost-prohibitive, supporting alternative energy And your communit are a good start.